The United States women’s national team recorded its earliest ever World Cup exit after losing 5-4 to Sweden in penalties. A controversial ending saw goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher dramatically save the final strike before VAR ruled the ball crossed the line by mere millimeters.
As ABBA’s Dancing Queen echoed throughout Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, American players stood in shock and tear-filled faces to process the unbelievable elimination.
The USWNT dominated throughout the match, holding 58 percent of possession and recording 22 shots on goal, before the 0-0 stalemate forced the game into extra time and eventual penalty kicks. Players on both sides missed attempts, with Sophia Smith, Megan Rapinoe and Kelley O’Hara failing to convert the shot for the Stars and Stripes, but ultimately Lina Hurtig’s final strike made the difference.
Head coach Vlatko Andonovski remains proud of his 23-player roster, boasting the talent featured in this tournament and the efforts made on each pitch.
"I thought that the team defended very, very good, very proud of them and devastated for them that they, you know, we have to go out but the way we did, I thought that we deserve a lot more. We deserve to win this game. I thought we created enough to win this game,” he said.
"I thought that we put up a fight. I thought that we represented this country proud and showed what we, what we stand for and and did everything, everything right, did everything, right? Naomi Girma, I mean, no matter what, I can talk all day about her, Naomi Girma is here to stay.
"I'm very proud of her too, to step in as young as she is in her first World Cup and to execute her defensive test the way she did. It's amazing. Every time we watch her play, every time we have, we analyze her play. We do it with a smile on our face because the way she plays it brings joy to everyone."
The final whistle also called the end of an era within the squad as Julie Ertz and Megan Rapinoe announced their retirement from the national team following the World Cup. Andonovski and veteran players added the torch will now be passed onto the new generation of Smith, Trinity Rodman and Girma.
"Very proud of Naomi but also the other young players too that were on the field. We started five players that have never been in the World Cup. They started every game. Emily Fox, Andi Sullivan two, I thought there were troopers tonight. They were warriors, played well, played hard, very proud of them. And, and just devastated that, after everything that they did, we have to go out the way we did."
The USWNT will now travel back to the United States, as the US Soccer Federation analyzes the tournament as a whole before taking next steps. Though Andonovski chose not to comment on his future with the team, his contract expires at the end of the calendar year.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Vlatko Andonovski highlights new USWNT generation.